Welt or hem forming device for straight-knitting machines



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. TIFFANY. WELT OR HEM EOEMING DEVICE POR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES. No. 408,272. Patented Aug. 6, 18889.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. TlPFANY. WELT 0R HEM EORMING DEVICE FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES.

No. 408,272. Patented Aug. 6, 1889.

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of a finger-blade between each successive pair of needles, if so many are necessary.

The bar N is journaled in the upper parts of two vertical arms J, (only one is shown in the drawings) which are fixed on the roekshaft D. Beneath the journal QJ of bar N is a ledge y, against which the back edge of bar N strikes when the fingers S leave the Vcloth on the back-stroke, being drawn down or rocked into the position shown in Fig. 3 by the retractile force of spring M, which connects hook m with pin m of the arm J. Thus in action bar N has a rocking or tilting motion while the fingers S are in contact with the cloth.

The rock-shaft D is journaled at each end in suitable bearings connected with the frame, and also in a central bearing or bracket E, located somewhere about the middle of the frame. Between the cheeks 7c 7a of bracket E the coupling WV is rigidly fixed on shaft D7 and under it the rocking elbow F is loosely pivoted on shaft D, so that the same can turn therein. -The upturned arm of elbow F is fitted to play between the cheeks ff of coupling lV, and the spring-actuated bolt H is fitted in the top of coupling NV, so as to play up and down, the lower end locking into a socket h in the top of elbow F. Vhen the bolt ll is locked in position, as in Fig. l, elbow F aud the rock-shaftD,with its main appendages, become practically a rigid structure adapted to oscillate in the bearings A at each end of shaft D. The coupling F WV permits the finger-bar N to be thrown back, as in Fig. 7, for any purpose.

The horizontal arm f of elbow F carries a springlever C, which is adapted to bear against cam B on the main shaft of the machine. The rotation of this cam effects the oscillation of the rock-shaft D and imparts the appropriate reciprocating motion to the fin ger-bar N.

The upright arms J are one or both fitted with a spring K, which in action bears again st the lug L of the main frame to throw the finger-bar back after cam B has passed the tappetebearing c of the spring-lever C.

A spring is preferably employed for lever C to obviate breakage and soften the impact of the finger-points against plate l).

In practice, when the knitting of the cuff or other article has progressed to the desired length to commence the welt, the further knitting on the front needles is arrested by appropriate mechanism such as is new commonly used for that purpose. The further knitting proceeds on the upper set of needles until enough stitches have been cast off to allow the tension-fingers S to come up between the needles and press the cloth against the cast-off plate R. From this point onward the knitting progresses in the usual way; but after the yarn has been laid for ea'ch course, as needles Q move back the finger-bar N advances and the finger-points u engage the cloth and gently force it down below the needles against the plate R, and thus maintain a proper tension of the same during the formation of one row of stitches and the casting off or shedding from the needles of the last previouslyformed rows.

By the means aforesaid l am enabled to knit a welt F of indefinite length.

I therefore claim as my inventionl. The combination, with the two series of needles of a flat-rib-knitting machine, of a longitudinal finger-bar provided with a series of fingers which alternate with the needles of one of the said series, a back-stop in proximity to the other series of needles, and means for vibrating the said finger-bar and carrying the ends of the said lingers against the backstop, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the front and rear needles of a flat-rib-knitting machine, ot' an inclined back-stop in proximity to the rear set of needles, a series of fingers alternating with the front needles, a finger-bar carrying said lingers, bearings for said bar, in which it is permitted to have a movement-about its own longitudinal axis, and means for oscillating said bearings, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

3. rlhe combination, with the vertical and horizontal needles of a flat-ribknitting machine, of a back-stop beneath the horizontal needles, a series of fingers or blades arranged in a horizontal plane, a finger-bar to which said fingers or blades are secured, pivoted supports in bearings on which said bar is mounted, with capacity for movement about its longitudinal axis, an d means for vibratin g said supports, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

4l. The combination of rock-shaft D, elbowcoupling F C XV, and spring-actuated bolt H, and arms J J, carrying the linger-bar N and fingers S, with the inclined back-stop R/, substantially as described, and for t-he purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof l have hereto subscribed my name this 27 th day of December, A. D. lSSS.

ELI TIFFANY.

In presence of- FRANKLIN Scori, J. M. A. CLowARD.

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